Limerick Clare Kerry Regional Waste Management Office as set up an Eco Pledge Programme for people to make a pledge to improve their environmental behaviour.
Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by environmental issues and helpless to do anything about it. The Eco Pledge system makes it easy, people can choose an action that they can easily do and take the Eco-Pledge. Small changes in behaviour can have a huge impact when combined with thousands of like-minded people.
Pledges can be made to:
- Choose Tap Water
- Say no to paper bags
- Make a shopping list and stick to it
- Use both sides of the page
- Invest in rechargable batteries
- Repair and customize you clothes
- Say no to junk mail
- Choose less packaging
- Re-use Stuff
- Raise Awareness
Click here to make a pledge (or four)
LCK RWMO have also made a brilliant video showing how the pledge can work in reality, with students from Crescent College on the streets of Limerick – check it out!
Several local authorities are supporting the 2011 European Week of Waste Reduction (EWWR) with a wide range of local activities.
Click here to see the full range of Irish activities by everyone, including the Irish EPA
Here is just some of what the local authorities are doing – get out there and support them!
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Carlow County Council:
22 November: Garden Swap Shop – A “Tidy Towns Swap Shop” event will be held in Bagenalstown. Public will be encouraged to bring old, unnecessary pieces of equipment, (strimmers, gardening tools), garden furniture etc. All items will be swapped/given to other Tidy Towns groups instead of being thrown away. A WEEE collection is also being organised for the day on-site.
Contact: Fionnghuala Ryan – 059-9136240 - fryan@carlowcoco.ie; www.carlow.ie
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Cavan County Council:
19-27 November: Awareness in Waste Prevention – Activities taking place in Cavan Town – Green Schools Poster Campaign winners to be used for billboard campaign; Campaign about litter through local media – newspapers and radio; Music Youth bands day to raise awareness of EWWR; County-wide Billboard Campaign on Waste Prevention; Facebook awareness to reach youth and Cavan Institute students; Electric Car public session, local media radio interviews with each Local Authority Litter Warden to raise awareness on litter problems.
Contact: Sinead Fox – 087-9808507 sfox@cavancoco.ie; www.cavancoco.ie
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Cork County Council:
26th November: Various stakeholders and actors will demonstrate in Fota Wildlife Park actions supporting waste prevention, lowering of dependance on resources, extending the life of goods and avoiding food waste.
Contact: Mary Stack – 021-4532722 mary.stack@corkcoco.ie; www.corkcoco.ie
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Galway County Council
21-25 November – Supermarket Campaign – Promotion of waste prevention in Galway; Launch of Waste Prevention Booklet; Press Release
Contact: Sinead Ni Mhainnin – 091-476488 – snimhain@galwaycoco.ie; www.galway.ie
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Limerick Clare Kerry Regional Waste Office:
19 November: ICA Bootcamp Launch - Bringing a new life to old clothes: Representatives of the network will be showing how easy it is to make clothes last longer including: Hemming, Button & Zip repair, Customising for new life and basic sewing machine skills; A new web page will be launched aimed at encouraging all to pledge to complete a simple waste prevention action.
Contact: Pauline McDonagh – 061-496844 paulinemcdonagh@managewaste.ie; www.managewaste.ie
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Monaghan County Council
19-27 November: Launch and promotion of Food Waste = Money Waste internet video which has been produced by Monaghan County Council. 21-25 Nov: The Smoothie Bike – Workshop in 5 different schools that focuses on our consumption patterns and how small changes can make a difference.
Contact: Nial O’Connor – 047-30556; noconnor@monaghancoco.ie; www.monaghan.ie
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Waterford County Council
19-27 November – Food Waste Awareness - A Flash Mob event will be held in Dungarvan shopping centre to raise awareness of food waste and an environmental awareness campaign involving stands on the EcoCert, Green Business, Anti Litter awareness and promotion will also be held; participation by Green Schools in a competition to design a poster on food waste reduction – winning design will be printed onto a flag which will be raised on the day at the end of the flash mob event.
Contact: Anne Sullivan – 058-22116 – asullivan@waterfordcoco.ie; www.waterfordcoco.ie
The Cliffs of Moher visitor centre (which has worked closely with the Local Authority prevention Network and The Limerick Clare Kerry Regional Waste Management Office) has achieved the 3-Star Eco-certification through the Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program (STEP). This thorough, independently audited Eco-certification is awarded by Sustainable Travel International to tourism businesses around the world who achieve the necessary standards in all areas of their business.
“Our approach to eco-tourism and sustainability runs through every level of the business,” states Katherine Webster, Director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience. “We’re proud of the many changes we’ve made, from the sustainable technologies built into the underground visitor center, to the turbo hand dryers in the toilets that use less energy and avoid use of paper hand towels; from the use of local suppliers and contractors, to the increased use of online marketing and communication with the local community. Eco-tourism isn’t just a project – it’s a way of doing business.”
Some waste and energy management initiatives undertaken by the Visitor Center were super simple – like the use of see-through trash bags for recycling areas, and the addition of pictorial signs on bins to help non-English speaking visitors. Signs have been added to the site, which encourage staff to turn off appliances and equipment. The company recently took over the café operation and refocused the food offering on more local products and suppliers, which visitors to the Cliffs have been very excited about. The visitor center also undertook an exercise in 2011 to measure its carbon foot print, and has achieved carbon neutrality through reductions in energy efficiency and the purchase of offsets.
The Cliffs of Moher have collaborated with STI since 2009, including a project with an STI-sponsored research student based at Sligo Institute of Technology, who worked alongside the Cliffs of Moher Green Team to develop and implement the required policies and procedures. The Cliffs of Moher are one of the first Irish tourism businesses to achieve STEP Eco-certification. This Achievement comes on the heels of being awarded the 2010 Green Award for the Entertainment & Leisure industry.
The Cliffs of Moher are one of 28 finalists in a global online campaign to find the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The final 7 will be announced on 11th November 2011.
Corca Dhuibne Glas, in conjunction with the EPA Local Authority Prevention Network (LAPN) programme and the Regional Waste Management Office are delighted to announce that 26 companies on the Dingle Peninsula have been awarded the Corca Dhuibhne Glas – Dingle Peninsula Eco award.
Corca Dhuibhne Glas – Dingle Peninsula Eco Award is an environmental training and consultancy programme which was launched in May 2010 The programme is supported locally by: Dingle Peninsula Tourism, MFG, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Dingle Chamber of Commerce, Kerry County Council, Transition Town Corca Dhuibhne.
The award was open to all businesses on the Dingle Peninsula to join and the initiative is geared specifically for small to medium enterprises. Through participation in this local award scheme the businesses involved engaged in the programme to reduce and implement best practice in waste management, lower energy consumption and reduce their water usage. Thus reducing costs to the businesses while lessening the companies impact on the environment.
The companies are also rewarded for encouraging the use of local produce and products, encouraging environmental transport options, appointing a green team and setting out a environmental improvement policy for their business showing how they are constantly looking for ways to improve. The businesses will also receive acknowledgement from customers & staff of a progressive business concerned with their environment, compliance with environmental standards and legislation and training for the staff in best practices in waste management.
The businesses involved were inspected in June by an independent auditor appointed by the LAPN / EPA to oversee the Programme. 33 Businesses in total are taking part and following the audit procedure 26 Companies were successful and have received the Corca Dhuibhne Glas award.
Successful businesses are entitled to display the Corca Dhuibhne Glas Award mark demonstrating their commitment to environmental best practice in the locality. This award will be recognised by all agencies and will be a vital tool in promoting business in a growing environmentally conscience market.
It is planned to hold the official awards ceremony during the ‘Dingle Food and Wine festival’ from 30th Sept- 02nd Oct.
The initiative is part of an overall ambition to get “Green destination” status for the Dingle Peninsula and to develop the peninsula as a leader in Green Area Tourism and Green business development.
Look out for the ‘Gradam Feabhais’ Sticker in participating businesses throughout the Peninsula.
Any companies interested in joining the programme can contact cdg.glas@gmail.com or call: Lorcan Slattery on 086 1737944
The Iverk Show in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny will be the first agricultural show in Ireland to “Go Green” this year. The show committee is working in partnership with the Waste Prevention Officer of Kilkenny Local Authority and the Local Authority Prevention Network to take the initial steps to improve the Show’s environmental performance.
“Going Green” is a phenomenon sweeping across a host of events. In the Southeast alone, both the Eigse Carlow Arts Festival and the Wexford Opera Festival are turning green. Greening festivals and large events like the Iverk Show has been supported by the Environment Protection Agency which supports the Local Authority Prevention Network to deliver resource efficiency and waste prevention initiatives at a local, grass root level.
Greening a one day event comes with its challenges. However the Iverk Show committee is getting the ball rolling in 2011. A number of achievable environmental targets have been set for the show which will take place on the 27th of August. Over 300 trade stands will be provided with recycling facilities, food service providers are being surveyed to determine future waste prevention initiatives and a special challenge will be set for attendees on the day – to recycle 10,000 drink containers.
The Iverk Show is the oldest Agricultural Show in Ireland with an average footfall of 20,000 people. Getting such a large event to “Go Green” will largely depend on the exhibitors and attendees lending a hand and using the correct bins on the day. Kilkenny Local Authority is delighted to assist the Iverk Show committee who have risen to the challenge of setting an example for other agricultural shows to follow.
For Further Details; Contact Bernadette Moloney, Environmental Awareness Officer, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Str, Kilkenny City.
Phone-056-7794487 or email; bernadette.moloney@kilkennycoco.ie
http://www.iverkshow.com/
Galway Arts Festival 2011, in association with Galway City Council and the Environment Protection Agency LAPN Programme, ‘greened’ this year’s festival and reduced its environmental impact.
As part of its commitment making the Festival ‘Green Aware’, festival events and venues adopted green principles, including waste reduction, recycling, energy and water conservation.
Businesses in the city supported the initiative by becoming Green Festival Members and by also committing to improve their environmental performance by following a simple 10–step approach. Through the programme, businesses saw a reduction in waste, water and energy usage, as well as a reduction in costs. Green Festival Members were also promoted as green businesses throughout the festival, setting the foundations for Galway City to become a green, sustainable destination for future visitors and business.
The Galway Arts Festival 2001 also encouraged all festival goers to support their efforts by following these simple steps:
- Never litter. If you can’t find a bin, keep your waste with you and ask a steward or volunteer where the closest bin is.
- Recycle. Do your best to segregate waste; place recyclables in the recycling bin and, where provided, use the food waste bin for food waste and napkins.
- Reduce waste. Say no to items you’re not going to use, such as napkins, sachets and straws. Try to avoid disposable items.
- Be energy efficient. Switch off appliances and lights when leaving home.
- Travel smarter. Use public transport, walk, cycle or car share to and from festival events, if possible.
- Be water wise. Don’t leave taps running in the toilets. If you spot a leak, tell the event organisers.
- Buy local. Try to buy local during the festival; you will be supporting the local economy and sustaining local jobs.
Well done Galway!
Click here to see more about the Galway Arts Festival 2011 ‘Green Aware’ Programme
Download the Greening Galway Arts Festival brochure click here.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s National Waste Prevention Programme’s conference ResourceWise 2011 was held on Wednesday 1 June 2011 at the Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel in Dublin.
The event highlighted the wide range of work underway in Ireland in several sectors of society to minimise and prevent waste and encourage resource efficiency, and thereby reduce operational overheads for organisations.
A wide range of presentations were given to highlight the work being done in this field. Click on the links to download each presentation:
Final conference programme, 382kb
Evening briefing – Jonathan Derham, 3,661kb
1 Karolina Fras – DG Environment, 2,505kb
2 Rory O’Donnell – NESC, 221kb
4 Richard Hogan – Glanbia Consumer Foods, 343kb
5 Karl Dalton – Connolly Hospital, 2,039kb
6 Caitriona McGroary – St. Helen’s Hotel, 915kb
7 Brian Motherway – SEAI, 569kb
8 Colm Moran – Thomond Park, 1,200kb
9 Colum Gibson – Stop Food Waste, 3,482kb
Date for your diaries: Wednesday 1 June 2011
ResourceWise 2011- National Waste Prevention Programme conference
The EPA-led National Waste Prevention Programme is organising a conference looking at the challenges and opportunities in becoming more resource efficient, exploring ways of producing more value with fewer inputs, lessening our impact on the environment and consuming in a more intelligent fashion.
The conference will address the challenges of resource depletion and scarcities, raising awareness of the environmental impact of excess consumption and waste and showcase waste prevention and resource efficiency initiatives by organisations contributing to the shift towards a resource-efficient economy.
The event will offer an opportunity for debate and exchanges of experience and best practice being demonstrated by participants in the National Waste Prevention Programme and explore practical ways to minimise and prevent waste, so as to break the link between economic growth and the environmental impacts associated with the generation of waste.
The conference will take place on Wednesday 1 June 2011 at the Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel in Dublin.
Please note this date for your diaries and pass to any colleagues you may think relevant. Further details on registration etc. to follow.
Three LAPN related initiatives have been nominated for environmental awards, giving due recognition to the great work being done in the programme.
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Thomond Park Stadium has been shortlisted as a finalist for a Green Awards 2011 in the Entertainment and Leisure Category.
They have also launched their Community Fund which will include sponsorship of local environmental and waste prevention awards. They also took part in Earth Hour 2011.
Well done Thomond Park!
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Galway County Council has been shortlisted in the Local Authority category of the 2011 Green Awards.
This is in recognition of all the great work being done in Galway over the years to protect the local environment.
For example, click here to see the environmental guide for business that Galway County Council has produced Changing Behaviour – Saving Resources
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The Limerick Clare Kerry Regional Waste Management Office organised a Batucamob to be held at the Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare on Saturday November 20th 2010.
This was part of the European Waste Reduction Week (EWWR) initiatve and the event was nominated as a finalist (out of over 4,000 initiatives) for a 2011 EWWR Award where it won a special commendation.
Well done indeed!
The 2011 Plenary meeting of the Local Authority Prevention Nework will be held in the Ardilaun House Hotel, Galway on Thursday, March 31st, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Plenary will comprise presentations from some of the successful LAPN projects and programmes including:
- Cavan Fleadh Ceoil
- Thomond Park, LImerick
- Midleton Food fair, Co. Cork
- Monaghan Food waste cost study
- Wicklow Food waste programme
Presentations will also be made by the Clean Technology Centre on useful tools and ideas for waste prevention.
A major feature of the annual LAPN Plenary is the open and worthwhile discussion on many sustainability related topics. To see the full agenda, click here.
The Plenary is open to local authority staff, and there is no charge to attend.
To book your space, newtork with other local authority staff, learn more about LAPN and waste prevention, contact Lynda McIntyre at the Clean Technology Centre. Tel.: 021 4344864 or email: lynda.mcintyre@ctc-cork.ie
Pictures from Plenary at our Flickr Account: www.flickr.com/photos/lapn
